-Gasp!- The last chapter on Ember Island! I was conviced to write ONE more chappie on the island. Also, my cousin (GirlyGirl29) is writting a Mai/Zuko story. It won't be as long as mine, but it is really good. So if you get the chance, check it out! It's called 'Which Will it Be?'. You'll have to see it to get the full summary. :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. Yes I'm sure.

Ages are still the same, but will change next chapter.

Chapter 11: Back Home

Wow. Time really flies by fast- Or so the children thought. It has already been a good five weeks, or one month. It was really memorable though. Azula had much fun torturing Zuko, but strangely, that brought him and Mai closer. She shuddered at the thought every time Iroh would mention it. The princess also enjoyed days at the beach, just enjoying the nice fresh air she didn't normally get.

Ty Lee would always bee seen with boys- her age. Sure she was a little young to be hanging out with them, but she enjoyed their company with Mai and Zuko always together, and Azula sometimes being alone. Unless of course, she was with Ty Lee and those boys. She was surprised her father even let her.

Of course, Mai had enjoyed the whole time at Ember Island. She rarely had any fun with her family- always being politically involved considering her father's carrer. She also found it fun spending all that time with her best friend's brother.

The two would normally be seen together really just enjoying each other's company- often by taking walks by the shore. Azula's suspicion from a couple years back is now certain. She had even told Ty Lee about it, deviously planning to embarrass them again.

But now, all that was almost over. They were now all standing on the docks, looking back at the island for the last time. Well, at least Ty Lee and Mai were. Unlike Azula and Zuko, they didn't visit the island every year, so this will probably be the last time they'd be here with the royal family.

"Gonna miss the place?" Zuko stood beside Mai.

"Yup- I'll probably never come here again," she looked around for the last time. "But at least I had fun."

"Really?" he asked, smiling.

"Ya, with you." she added, blushing. He returned her gaze, his normally light skin a bright scarlet color. The moment though, was ruined by Azula walking into the scene.

"Are you two done flirting? Dad says it's time to go." Ugh. She always had to kill the moment. They were kind of used to this though. The nice "friendly" conversations, awkward silence, then Azula coming in. Sighing, Mai stepped onto the boat followed by Zuko, then Azula.

The rest of the 6-hour trip back home was pretty quiet and uninteresting. Apparently, Azula was tired- and she's the one who makes things interesting. Surprisingly, Ty Lee was also exhausted, and she's the one who doesn't keep things quiet.

After hours of only seeing water when you look out, the ship finally reached their home.

"Zuko, can you go wake up your little sister and her friends?" Ursa asked her eldest son. "They're in that room in the boat." she instructed.

"Sure," he responded before getting into the boat once again. Making his way down the hallway, he finally found the room he was looking for. He slowly opened the door, to find them all fast asleep.

He stealthily walked over to Azula and shoved her off the bed. She let out a shriek before landing on the carpeted floor. Ah, payback. "What was that?" she jerked her head up and sent him a poisonous glare.

"Payback." he quickly explained. "Now get up, we're home." Ty Lee lazily sat up and stretched, yawning.

"Dumb-dumb." she insulted. Zuko smirked at his sister, who really had no comeback at the moment. "What are you still doing here?"

"She told me to wait for you," he defiantly crossed his arms over his chest. "Like I wanted to..." Her face fell for the second time she couldn't say anything back.

"Where's Mai?" he asked noticing she wasn't in the room. Coincidentally, the little girl stepped into the room.

"Right there." Ty Lee answered.

"Huh?"

"Uh- Nothing," he quickly covered. "So, what did you need?"

"Umm..." she uncomfortably looked over to Azula, who simply rolled her eyes. She then looked at Ty Lee who smiled, and turned away. "Come on, I want to show you something." she happily pulled Zuko with her.

"Should we go follow?" Ty Lee asked, assuming Azula would have anyway.

"No, we should let them have their privacy now." Ty Lee tilted her head in confusion. "Maybe next time..." she headed out the door.

"Where are we going?" Zuko asked as Mai took him around the palace.

"Well, I was just looking around, when I found..." They went through one more building and out a door. As soon as they got outside, Mai looked around, while Zuko stood there amazed. "...This."

It was an outdoor little area, much like the courtyard they always play in, only it was even more beautiful- not to mention much larger in size. The northern wall had a flowing fountain that flowed into a small river, which was connected to a small, clear blue pond.

All in all, it was a beautiful place.

"Wow..." was Zuko's only comment as the two looked around.

"You haven't seen this place yet?" she asked, surprised.

"Well...no." he answered. "I'ven never been here before, mostly because my dad tells me to stay in one spot most of the time. While Azula gets to do whatever she wants." he replied.

"Oh." she felt the same way. "I see."

"Mai!" they both heard a distant yelling. The voice was easily recognized as Azula's. "Your mom is here!"

"Ya, I have to go." she pointed out.

"Okay- see you...next time, I guess." She smiled softly and he watched as she left the scene.

Ya, that's the next chapter. A big THANKS to xlilyunyun for the idea! I almost went blank ;)

-Black5Belt